Construction Magazine September 2014 | Page 23

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The design takes from Dutch model by concrete ‘ tubs ’ submerged in the water to a depth of half a storey . A lightweight supporting steel construction is built on top , and can be filled with glazing and coloured panelling . The occupant can then later change the sides depending on the view or their desire for privacy .
The houses of wood , glass and aluminium are constructed in a nearby shipyard , before being transported to the site by water and affixed to the jetty by steel mooring poles which allow them to move up and down with the tide . They also allow for residents of mixed incomes .
The designers of London ’ s own floating village are taking cues from IJburg , aided by Dutch floating structures experts Mark van Ommen of Floatbase and Ton van Namen of Monteflore who have an excellent record of delivering schemes of over 300 floating structures .
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